I think we all have fears, whether we know them or not. I don't know why some have bad experiences and others do not but after forty years I think you are ok with the automatic writing Everly

How awful for you to discover your claustrophobia like that, it sounds scary.

Many, many years ago I had a few sessions with a Ouija board with some friends, well the glass whizzed round and spelt out messages and we laughed and chatted to whatever it was, we were respectful not scared and nothing at all nasty happened. I have also heard real horror stories about Ouija and would not try it again under any circumstances.